Post-base.



No. 774,022. PATENTED NOV. 1, 1904.

W. H. ALEXANDER. POST BASE.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 12,1903.

N0 MODEL.

Patented November 1, 1904.

Y PATENT FFICE.

WILLIAM H. ALEXANDER, OF MEXICO, MEXICO.

POST-BASE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 774,022, dated November 1, 1904.

Application filed June 12, 1903. Serial No. 161,217. (1510 model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

' Be it known that I, WILLIAM H. ALEXAN- DER, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Mexico city, Mexico, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Post-Bases, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in post-bases, and has for its object to provide a metal base for wooden posts which will rigidly support the post at a suflicient distance above the ground that said post will not be subjected to the decaying influences of the soil. Its further object is to so construct such a base that it will naturally tightly hold the post and retain its hold notwithstanding shrinking or swelling of said post.

Another object of this invention is to accomplish the above results without necessitating the employment of large heavy structures eX- pensive to produce and transport and diflicult to handle, but making use of a particular sheet-metal construction having many points of advantage, as hereinafter described.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this description, and in which like characters of reference indicate same parts in the several views, Figure 1 is an elevation of a post-base in accordance with my invention shown in its position in the ground supporting a telegraph-post. Fig. 2 is an enlarged elevation of the post-base looking at its slotted side. Fig. 3 is a vertical section there of, taken on the line a w of Fig. 4:. Fig. I is a horizontal section of the post-base, taken on the line 2 y of Fig. 2; and Fig. 5 is a transverse section of a post andbase, showing a modification in which the post is grooved to assist the ventilation and drainage.

In the figures, A represents a tubular body, made of a single piece of sheet metal bent into I an elongated conical form with its larger end formed by this end .of the tubular body A and enable it to hold the tapering lower end of the telegraph-post C. At the lower end the tubular body A has its sides flattened into three plane faces D and split longitudinally into flaps or feet E, one extending from each plane face D and all bent outward to assume horizontal radial positions, so that they form a secure anchorage for the base when embedded in the ground, as shown in Fig. 1.

From the above it will be seen that a postbase made in accordance with my invention when planted in the ground to the proper depth, as shown in Fig. 1, will receive and securely hold the tapering end of the telegraph or other post and support it at a distance from the ground, so that it is entirely free from the injurious action thereof, and as the metal parts are thoroughly coated with asphalt or mineral paint to protect them from side of the base serves the purpose of ventilation to the wooden post, and also as an escape for rain-water, which might otherwise accumulate between the upper edge of the base and the post, thus leaving the post always dry.

This open slot is .a very important feature and will assist in preventing the post from decay. The radial feet serve the double purpose of holding the base firmly in position against side displacement when set in the the acids and moisture in the earth there is ground and the earth packed solidly upon it and also prevents the base and post from settling when the ground is soft or marshy.

This base, besides being very light itself, enables the use of a wooden post of small diameter, as rotting at the surface of the ground does not have to be allowed for. This of itself is a very great economy; but, besides, any kind of cheap wood may be employed that is sufficiently strong to support the wires.

In Fig. 5 is shown a modification in which the post is provided with grooves F at its lower end to form passage-Ways for the pur- Ioo pose of assisting the V-shaped slot in draining and ventilating the socket.

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-- 1. Apost-base consisting of a single piece of sheet metal bent to form a conical socket with its edges meeting below and spaced apart above, hoops reinforcing the upper end of the socket, and integral radial feet at the lower end of the socket.

2. A post-base formed by a single piece of sheet metal bent into a conical socket with its side edges meeting below and spaced apart above forming a \I-shaped slot, hoops reinforcing the upper end of the socket, and integral radial feet at the lower end of the socket adapted to maintain its upper end sufficiently aboveground to prevent the post held thereby from coming into contact with the ground.

3. A post-base consisting of a single piece of sheet metal bent to form through its major part a round conical socket, and at its lower end a triangular part terminating in integral radial feet, the edges of the sheet meeting at the lower triangular end of thesocket, and spaced apart at the upper end, and hoops reinforcing the upper end of the socket.

4. The combination with a wooden post the lower end of which is symmetrically tapered, of a sheet-metal post-base supporting the post above the ground and consisting of a single piece of sheet metal bent to form a conical socket with its edges meeting below and spaced apart above, hoops reinforcing the upper end of the socket and integral radial feet at the lower end of the socket, drainage-spaces being provided between the post and base, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I affiX my signature in presence of two witnesses.

WILLIAM H. ALEXANDER.

Witnesses:

R. S. C. CALDWELL, CHAS. E. RIoRDoN. 

